Duck Blinds and Pressure

[Lenny Rat]

I am just starting my duck hunting efforts. I used to do it IRL, so this should be fun.

I threw out some decoys at a need zone, setup a TRIPOD, blew the caller, and brought in a small flock. Took one down in the air. What a blast!

My primary question concerns blinds/stands and pressure. That one duck definitely placed a pressure cloud on my map. I have read some conflicting accounts so I am looking for clarification.

1) Are Ducks and Geese affected AT ALL by pressure?
2) Are other animals affected by the pressure zones created by hunting water fowl?
3) Since the “Duck Blinds” are ground based, does that ramp up pressure quickly and limit my harvest count to 3 before local zones vanish?

Frankly, that is why I used a tripod; because I was concerned about the pressure buildup and impact on nearby zones.

[Mr. Ed]

1) Not noticeably
2) Yes Hunting pressure builds up due to the body count regardless of species. All need zones in a place where hunting pressure has been applied will be impacted. Thus, if you kill too many you could lose not only your duck need zone, but any and all nearby need zones being used by other species.
3) No The type of blind or stand you are shooting from is immaterial

Normally animals are hesitant or reluctant to enter an area where hunting pressure has been applied and I've actually seen a difference in animal behavior inside such areas. Ducks don't seem to be reluctant about it.

[Lenny Rat]

Originally posted by Mr. Ed:

1) Not noticeably
2) Yes Hunting pressure builds up due to the body count regardless of species. All need zones in a place where hunting pressure has been applied will be impacted. Thus, if you kill too many you could lose not only your duck need zone, but any and all nearby need zones being used by other species.
3) No The type of blind or stand you are shooting from is immaterial

Normally animals are hesitant or reluctant to enter an area where hunting pressure has been applied and I've actually seen a difference in animal behavior inside such areas. Ducks don't seem to be reluctant about it.

So to clarify your answer to number 3; in my experience using a tree stand or tripod allows up to 15 harvests in a given area before pressure will impact need zones. Using ground based blinds for other animals multiplies that pressure build up by about 500% (only about 3 harvests versus 15 before impacting NZ’s).

Are you telling me that I can harvest more than 3 ducks from a ground blind and not lose need zones of other species? What is the maximum number?

[AldoAZApache]

I think i read the ducks are less effected by the pressure somewhere, Not for sure. sHOOTING FROM A TRIPOD, WATERFOWL BLIND, OR HUNTING BLIND will always be less pressure

[Lenny Rat]

Originally posted by AldoAZApache:

I think i read the ducks are less effected by the pressure somewhere, Not for sure. sHOOTING FROM A TRIPOD, WATERFOWL BLIND, OR HUNTING BLIND will always be less pressure

Yes, it is a given that blinds reduce pressure.

The fundamental question is whether a "duck blind" functions similar to a "ground blind" or an "elevated blind".

Scenario: when using a "duck blind" can I harvest 15 ducks straight before compromising my zone? Or will I lose it after harvesting 3 ducks?

Surely somebody out there knows the answer.